Overview of Blood Components and Disorders

Plasma

Liquid portion of blood; contains water, proteins, salts, nutrients, lipids, hormones, and vitamins.

Erythrocyte

Red blood cell.

Leukocyte

White blood cell.

Thrombocytes

Platelet.

Stem cells

Unspecialized cell that gives rise to mature, specialized forms.

Hemoglobin

Blood protein containing iron; carries oxygen in red blood cells.

Bilirubin

Orange-yellow pigment in bile, formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin when red blood cells are destroyed.

Polymorphonuclear

Pertaining to a white blood cell with a multilobed nucleus; neutrophil.

Antibodies

Specific proteins produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria, viruses, or other antigens.

Antigens

Substances that stimulate the production of an antibody.

Albumin

Protein in the blood.

Edema

Swelling.

Coagulation

Blood clotting.

Agglutination

The clumping of blood cells.

Differentiation

Change in structure and function of a cell as it matures; specialization.

Hypochromia

Pertaining to the reduction of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Erythrocytopenia

Deficiency of red blood cells.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells.

Hematocrit

Percentage of erythrocytes in a volume of blood.

Hemoglobinopathy

Disease of hemoglobin.

Leukocytopenia

Deficiency of white blood cells.

Thrombocytopenia

Deficiency of platelets in the blood.

Plasmapheresis

Removal of plasma from withdrawn blood by centrifuge.

Monoblast

Immature monocyte.

Erythrocytosis

Increased number of red blood cells in the blood.

Electrophoresis

Method of separating serum proteins by electrical charge.

Hematopoiesis

Formation of blood cells.

Hemostasis

Stopping the flow of blood.

Blood dyscrasia

Disease of the blood.

Anemia

Without blood.

Aplastic Anemia

Failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Hemolytic Anemia

Reduction in red cells due to excessive destruction.

Pernicious Anemia

Lack of mature erythrocytes caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 into the bloodstream.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Hereditary disorder of abnormal hemoglobin producing sickle-shaped erythrocytes and hemolysis.

Thalassemia

Inherited disorder of abnormal hemoglobin production leading to hypochromia.

Hemophilia

Excessive bleeding caused by hereditary lack of factors VIII and IX necessary for blood clotting.

Purpura

Multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin.

Leukemia

Increase in cancerous white blood cells.

Multiple Myeloma

Malignant neoplasm of bone marrow.

Bleeding Time

Time required for blood to stop flowing from a tiny puncture wound.

Coagulation Time

Time required for venous blood to clot in a test tube.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)

Measures other clotting factors.

Prothrombin Time (PT)

Test of the ability of blood to clot.

CBC

Complete blood count.

ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.

Hct

Hematocrit.

Hb, Hgb

Hemoglobin Test.

WBC

White blood cell count.

WBC with diff

White blood cell differential count.

T&C

Type and crossmatch.

DIC

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

H&H

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit.

RBC

Red blood cell count.

Lymph

Thin, watery fluid found within lymphatic vessels and collected from tissues throughout the body.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid in the spaces between cells.

Lymph Nodes

Collection of stationary solid lymphatic tissues along lymph vessels; contains cells that fight infection.

Spleen

Organ in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that destroys worn-out red blood cells, activates lymphocytes, and stores blood.

Thymus Gland

Lymphoid organ in the mediastinum that conditions T-cells to react to foreign cells and aids in the immune response.

Immunity

Body's ability to resist foreign organisms and toxins that damage tissues and organs.

Natural Immunity

Protection that an individual is born with to fight infection, such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and NK cells.

Adaptive Immunity

The ability to recognize and remember specific antigens and mount an attack on them.

Autoimmune

Chronic, disabling diseases caused by abnormal production of antibodies to normal tissues.

Lymphedema

Swelling of tissues due to interstitial fluid accumulation.

Lymphadenopathy

Disease of the lymph nodes.

Splenomegaly

Enlarged spleen.

Splenectomy

Removal of the spleen.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Allergy

Abnormal hypersensitivity acquired by exposure to an antigen.

Anaphylaxis

Extraordinary hypersensitivity reaction occurring throughout the body (fall in blood pressure, shock, respiratory distress).

Lymphoma

Malignant tumor of lymph nodes and lymph tissue.

ELISA

Screening test to detect anti-HIV antibodies in the bloodstream.

Western Blot

More specific test to determine HIV.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus.

PCP

Pneumocystis pneumonia (opportunistic infection).